To put it mildly, West Indies Cricket – especially Test Cricket – has fallen on parlous times. (Very) old timers like me can hardly bear to watch.
I much rather remember our days of glory. Here is an essay I wrote when West Indies bestrode the world of Cricket.
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As the tour of England begins (May 1984) the West Indies dominate the cricket world to an extent rarely known in the game’s history. Since the Packer era ended West Indies have enjoyed a winning steak probably unique in the history of the game. Out of 34 Tests we have lost only two. We have just given Australia the sort of thrashing a headmaster gives a wayward little boy (3-0, with victories by 10 wickets in Barbados and Jamaica, and by an innings and 36 runs in Antigua). In our last nine Tests we have not lost a second innings wicket which must be some kind of record. In limited-over contests we are, except for that one strange aberration in June last year (The World Cup Final v India, 1983) the complete masters. It is not only a question of superior playing skills. The West Indies have established a psychological ascendancy which exerts its influence before a ball is bowled in a new series. Even now you can be sure the English with chalk-white faces are shaking in their chalk-white boots.